State website lets consumers check status of licensees

LANSING (AP) — People who use the services of a professional or a licensed business in Michigan can visit a state website to check the license status.

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is reminding residents to visit the “verify a license” portal at www.michigan.gov/LARA. They can look under the “How do I tab.”

People can find detailed reports on hundreds of license types and more than 1 million licensees including doctors, nurses, child care and nursing homes, accountants, architects, builders, barbers, cosmetologists and real estate brokers.

LARA Director Shelly Edgerton urges that consumers do their homework before asking for professional services.

Consumers can research the type of license, if the license is active or inactive and the expiration date. Additional information may include disciplinary actions, complaints, inspection reports and other documents.